Wildcat Wayside Nature Trail

Wildcat Wayside Nature Trail is a 1 mile moderately trafficked loop trail located near Cleveland, South Carolina that features a waterfall and is good for all skill levels. The trail is primarily used for hiking, walking, and trail running and is accessible year-round. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash.

DISTANCE

1.0 miles

ELEVATION GAIN

137 feet

ROUTE TYPE

Loop

dogs on leash

kid friendly

hiking

trail running

walking

forest

river

views

waterfall

Located off the Cherokee Foothills Scenic Highway (SC 11/US276), Wildcat Wayside Nature Trail is an easy loop of around 0.9 miles with an upper and lower falls. The trail is primarily used for hiking and accessible year-round.
The lower falls can be viewed from the parking area. The upper falls can be viewed by hiking the trail loop. The loop takes you through a beautiful forest and along a stream.
Signs at the upper falls encourage hikers to stay on the trail and not attempt to navigate the area at the base of the falls as there have been fatal accidents in the past.

This is a fun, short, free adventure a 20 minute drive fromTraveler's Rest. The most beautiful part is visible from the roadside. The upper Cascades are not very picturesque - basically a huge slab of rock with a few trickles of water. The trail at the upper falls crosses the creek. This part can be dangerous, especiallly without good shoes. Other than that tricky crossing, it is an easy, interesting, short hike. Bring the family. Unfortunately, uncaring adventurers have scattered a little litter and trash recently which cheapens the view in places.

very nice and easy - about 1-1.5 mile total loop. right off the road there is a small pond and waterfall, then a little walk up is a stone foundation of an old building with a cool info board. about a half a mile up from there and you get to the "waterfall" cascading down a huge slab of rock. cool place to adventure around - wouldn't recommend hiking higher than there. it loops back around a half a mile.

This trail was a great road side find. You can see a small double layer waterfall from the road, however if you walk further you will come to a fork in the path if you go to the right it seems to be easier then if you go to the left. This trail does make a big loop took me a little over and hour to complete with 3 small kids plus I had knee surgery a 2 months ago. The trail is well marked even where you cross the rocks over the waterfall.

Our good friends took us here for our first hike ever. Fairly easy to do even for a 61 yo recovering from health issues. Unfortunately the drought has robbed the various waterfalls of all but a trickle. Will definitely come back when the water returns. Still a great Sunday hike with friends.